UK Government failing to properly assess the impact of its policies on low-income households, say Labour.

The vast majority of households affected by the UK Government’s controversial benefit cap are single parents, according to statistics revealed by the Labour Party.

Analysis of official data from the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) show that more than 85% of capped households are single mothers, leading to accusations the UK Government are failing to properly assess the impact of its policies on low-income families.

The benefit cap limits the amount households can receive in social security benefits to £23,000 a year in London or £20,000 in other parts of the country, and is supposedly designed to incentivise work.

But opponents say the cap is pushing low-income households into poverty, with single parents among the hardest hit because their situation means they have greater barriers to employment than other unemployed people.

The statistics show 134,044 households had their benefits capped up to Auguest 2018, with 120,297 of these being single claimant mothers with dependent children. 13,743 single claimant men also had their benefit payments capped.

Commenting, Labour’s Shadow Work and Pensions Secretary Margaret Greenwood said: “The Conservatives have pushed ahead with their austerity agenda with scant regard for the impact on low-income families.

“Labour will build a social security system that is there for any of us in our time of need.”